London Irish to grind out a win

AFTER being on the receiving end of an Italian job last Saturday, most of the Irish team return to their usual place of work in England this afternoon. The majority of the Courage League division one fixtures have survived, although there are morning pitch inspections at Bristol and Harlequins.

London Irish have managed to name a full strength side for almost the first time this season after a spate of injury problems with key players. As a result, they go into the vital relegation encounter with Gloucester as favourites, despite the West Country club lying two places and tour points above them.

Tim Ewington, their Australian scrum hall, plays his first game since September after finally recovering from an ankle fracture, while Gabriel Fulcher has recovered from the knock which led to him leaving the field last week. Fulcher is accompanied again at lock by Jeremy Davidson, the pair reforming their international partnership.

Disappointing news for London Irish however, came with the announcement from Wasps that Irish international, Rob Henderson, would be leaving London Irish to join them next week.

Gloucester have been poor travellers this season and they will miss the experience of their Scottish international flanker Ian Smith, who announced this week he was likely to be out of action for up to three months. Hooker Phil Greening, an England squad member, is also unsettled and reported to be on the verge of a big money transfer to another club.

With four clubs now due to go down, an Irish victory would go some way to help them extricate themselves from the mire in which they currently find themselves embedded.

Harlequins have no such worries and they received a mid week boost with the news that Jim Staples returns to the fray after a month's absence with a broken jaw. The London club take on fellow championship challengers. Bath, whom they faced when Staples was poleaxed in December.

Keith Wood is also back, this time after international duties and the match also sees the home debut of Frenchman fly half Thierry Lacroix.

League leaders Leicester, for whom their is no place for Niall Malone, take on Northampton. South African Joel Stransky has also been left out, because the recent cold spell has meant he has not been able to train with the club and so Rob Liley retains the fly half spot.

Northampton have England flanker Tim Rodber back in their side after a shoulder injury. Bristol face a tough task against visiting Wasps but include Paul Burke and David Corkery in their lineup. England lock Simon Shaw is named in their second row after a minor back problem.